FEMA's competition for funds

There is an interesting twist in the move towards rebuilding the Gulf Coast. FEMA held a competitive grants process that has rewarded some of the states with some funding for building new homes. The NYTimes' version of the story includes some architectural renderings of the proposed homes and an explanation of what stood out about the winners' proposals. What is interesting is that Mississippi got $280 million while Louisiana only got $75 million. In addition, Texas got a little but FLorida got skunked.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune offers up excuses for why New Orleans was robbed of this great opportunity.

"We got shorted one more time, got cheated out of opportunities one more time," Blanco said on the steps of the Governor's Mansion after completing a call with Louisiana's members of Congress.

"It's a cruel Republican agenda that punishes Louisiana," Blanco said. "I find it detestable to find so many hard-working families left out in the cold by rotten party politics."

Unfortunately, what this really seems to show is both how complicated the situation is in NOLA, but also how much the locals (whether it is the City, or State, or other local entities) are expecting gifts more than they are trying to create creative solutions that are both quick and sustainable. Maybe more news will come out in the coming days to support the evidence of the anti-Louisiana bias, but the newspapers sure make it sound like these awards were based on merit. I just hope that there is still Federal funding left when New Orleans finaly comes up with a comprehensive and inclusive plan.